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Eban and Charley

Eban and Charley

List Price: $24.95
Your Price: $22.46
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The good and the bad......
Review: I'm not sure what the point of this movie is. On one hand, there is a possible love story, between Eban and Charley-except that it's made fairly clear that Eban is a pederast who is pusuing the much younger Charly. Then there is the story about coping with a society where they are scorned-except that their only solution is to run away from it. I guess the ending is supposed to be romantic, but in the end you know that either Eban's going to get busted and sent to prison, or else he'll go after the next pubescent guy that catches his eye, leaving Charley worse off than before.
Well, as if that wasn't bad enough, the whole feel of the movie is low-budget, dark, and depressing. The music is annoyingly bad, and the actors, are mediocre. There is absolutely no chemistry between Eban and Charley to make the affair seem plausible, and actually, Eban comes off as a very creepy character. It's almost like they wanted you to hate him.
I could think of a dozen ways this story could be made better. Yes, there are instances when a 15-year old can fall in love with an older man, but why with such a pathetic character like him? In the end, you can only feel that Eban was an abuser, and Charley was a naive fool. Sorry-this movie had some potential, but the end result is extremely disappointing.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Highly risky storyline but done w/sensitivity and tastefully
Review: I have to say, I was very hesitant to watch this movie, just because of the subject matter. No, I am not referring to the 'Gay' story line, I am referring to the Pedi file implications.

However, tackling a very touchy subject with sensitivity and tact, Bolton's low-budget film gives us plenty to think about. Eban (Fellows) returns to his Pacific Northwest hometown under some sort of cloud; the 29-year-old school teacher is suddenly living with his parents again, and no one's talking about what happened. Soon Eban befriends the 15-year-old Charley (Andrade), and people are starting to get worried. Is he having an inappropriate (not to mention illegal) relationship with this boy?

Bolton wisely never gets into the specifics of their relationship, leaving sexual contact off screen, but we do know that Eban and Charley have fallen deeply in love with each other, and when confronted with the problems in the situation their reactions are hardly surprising. Neither are the reactions of their parents!

Filmed on digital video with a slow, meandering style, the film avoids clichés at every turn, and it never preaches as it simply tells its story and presents all the arguments. It's a very difficult story to tell with such understanding, so it's high praise to Bolton and his cast for pulling it off so well, without even hinting at easy solutions or obvious moralizing.

It's beautifully understated in every way, and deserves to be seen if only to raise the issue for discussion ... even though most people probably believe there's no discussion needed.

Be careful with the audience for this movie, it is obviously not for everyone... but this very low-budget movie is worth watching.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty well done!
Review: I really liked the topic of the movie, and I must admit it was done very tastefully. The only major downside I saw was that the acting was poorly done. It was a good movie tho, and one I'd probably watch again.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A SWEET LOVE STORY
Review: This film may be a little risque' in its subject....a 29 year old gay man falling in love with a 15 year old gay kid. But it is handled so sensitively, thanks to the performances of the leads...who invariably make one absolutely believe that their love for one another is genuine and not pedophilic, not taboo. The direction is slow paced but it works because of the restrained acting.

Brent Fellows and Giovanni Andrade project sympathy and one totally understands their feeling for each other. The soundtrack boasts some moody pieces and poignant touches which is an enhancement.

I enjoyed the film immensely and have watched it several times! It is touching and charming. You will root for Eban and Charley!

The only flaw I find in it is its 88 minute running time. It should have been longer.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Doesn't Work.
Review: Okay, I admit it, I am not favorably inclined toward adults having sexual relationships with children. But, I also know that my standards and moral boundaries have nothing to do with the daily realities of many people in the world. So, who am I to say that an adult and child who claim to be in love should not be allowed to consummate their feelings. I guess that's why I was willing to give this film a chance. But, I must say that on most levels I think it simply doesn't work. The principle problem for me was Eban - there was just something very unsettling about him. He seemed to suffer from such an extreme case of arrested development that there was no way I could see an equal, balanced relationship between he and Charly. He was insidious and crafty, at times trying to appear adult-like and other times bringing himself to the adolescent level of Charly. I also got the feeling that he carefully manipulated his so-called "chance" encounters with Charly so that their outcome would be exactly what he calculated (which allowed him to sweep his young victim into an inextricable web). He was really creepy, in the extreme, and not the least bit attractive. I wondered why Charly would even want to be with him. The actor playing Eban was a poor casting choice.

I recently saw a film called "Our Lady of the Assasins" that dealt with pedophilia (among other things) far more successfully. Watch it to get a sense of a far more believably naturalistic approach to controversial subject matter.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: forbidden love
Review: " I dont think age should matter if your love "; says Charley 15 to his lover Eban age 29.
The film starts off with Eban comming home to his parents house in Seaside Oregon during the Christmas holiday ( I thought something was up with this scene); while visiting a record store ( do we still call them that ?)he spys a young man Charley,who is purchasing a CD. The next scene has Eban going into a resturant to order a latte; " we only have coffee ". Eban see Charley at at table and ask if he can join him; soon one of Charley's friends, Kevin ( whos deaf ) enters and the two leave. Next we see Eban riding his bike thru town and joins Charlie near the boardwalk which afterwile Eban asks for a date and Charlie agrees, and watches Eban ride away on his bike ( is there some mutal intrest here ?). On there date they walk on the beach and return to Charlie's room were they undress down to there underwear to let them dry. On the second date they both go bicycling and return again to undress to let their clothes dry but Charlie sits next to Eban and........... sorry can't explain more or I will spoil the movie. I can tell you that a relationship is growing between the two and both parents find out. Charlie's dad is an ex-airforce officer and a real jerk. "take off that s--t" referring to Charlie's fingernail polish and dad holds back money for the mothers insurance, that was meant for his son (she was killed by a drunk driver the previous year). With tensions growing between father and son, Charlie seeks comfort in the arms of Eban all the while avoiding either parent(s). Forced to make a decision, the movies climatic ending is worth seeing. although the the film is not up to hollywoods standards, this doesn't distract from its touching and tender moments. Editing is a bit choppy but I loved this film all the same. Though the subject matter is controversial at best, it shows the flip side of a boy in love with an older man and wanting his company. I suggest you purchase this and view this as an alternative love story

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Movie, Touchy Subject
Review: Having bought this movie on the advice of others i felt it a good chance for me to offer the same advice.
Buy or hire this movie. It is an interesting topic this film covers, that of relationships between two guys of vastly differnt ages, including 1 15 year old.
The director has approached this topic with a deal of grace second to none. The story is a little slow but it really tugs at the heart strings. I reccomend it to anyone gay or straight, it proves that love does really counquer all.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: kind of slow moving... found it a bit creepy
Review: Just a very slow moving film..... thought it would be better than it was.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: What are you all thinking?
Review: I tell you what, this was not what I was expecting and at 22$+ I am less than satisfied. Who wrote the reviews, the film makers? While the story line wasn't a complete loss, the acting and method in which the film was brought to life needed some serious help. I don't know what I expected, but I know it was more than I got. Rent it, save yourself the headache, I have a copy for sale.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: man boy love?
Review: no other film or for that mater moment in my life has touched me in the way this film touched me except maybe...well, let's not go there. but still to this day I remember my first love. we met in a cub scout meeting. I guess all I want to say is this movie gives me and my special mentor hope...keep praying brothers


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